🚀 Illinois — Accepting early access signups· Your certificate will be issued upon ANAB accreditation (in progress)
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Food Handler Card Online
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Illinois Food Handler Requirements
Everything you need to know about getting certified in Illinois.
Time-Sensitive Requirement
Chicago requires food handler certification within 30 days of hire. Cook County enforces this strictly — inspectors check certification records during routine health inspections.
Governing Law
Chicago Municipal Code §7-42 and Cook County Food Service Sanitation Code
Certificate Validity
3 years from issue date
Issuing Authority
Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) & Illinois Department of Public Health
Food Service Workers
590,000 workers in Illinois
Certification Price
$7.99 — lowest price anywhere
Key Fact
Chicago is the third-largest city in the US with over 7,000 restaurants and food establishments in Cook County alone.
✅ Requirements at a Glance
Under Chicago Municipal Code §7-42 and Cook County Food Service Sanitation Code, all food service workers in Illinois must complete an accredited food handler training program and obtain a valid certificate before handling food.
- ✓ Complete a food handler training from an accredited provider
- ✓ Obtain your certificate within 30 days of starting work
- ✓ Renew every 3 years
- ✓ Employer must have certificates accessible for inspection
Spanish-Language Certification Available
Over 400,000 Hispanic food service workers in Illinois. FoodCardNow is fully bilingual in English and Spanish — course, exam, and certificate available in español.
Regulated by Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) & Illinois Department of Public Health
How it works
Get certified in under 2 hours. No classroom. No waiting.
Choose your course
Pick food handler ($7.99), alcohol server ($9.99), or bundle both and save ($14.99).
Pay securely
One-time payment via Stripe. No subscriptions. No hidden fees. Instant access.
Complete the training
Work through engaging modules at your own pace. Fully bilingual — English & Spanish.
Pass the exam
Take the short quiz. Score 70%+ to pass. Unlimited attempts — retake as needed.
Download your certificate
Instant PDF download. Valid 2 years. Accepted anywhere in Texas.
Ready to get certified?
Get Started — $7.99Trusted by food workers across 7 states
Real reviews from food workers certified with FoodCardNow
FoodCardNow vs. Competitors
Cheaper. Faster. Bilingual. The only Illinois food handler card built for everyone.
| Provider | Price | Bilingual | Mobile | Instant Cert |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FoodCardNow✓ Best Value | $7.99 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| ServSafe | $15+ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| 360training | $12+ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| StateFoodSafety | $10+ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
* Competitor prices are approximate and subject to change. Last verified June 2025.
Start your Illinois certification today
The lowest-price food handler certification in Illinois. No hidden fees, ever.
- ✓Illinois Food Handler Certification
- ✓Bilingual — English & Spanish
- ✓Mobile-friendly, ~60 min course
- ✓Instant PDF certificate download
- ✓Valid 3 years
- ✓QR code for employer verification
Lock in your spot — certificate issued upon ANAB accreditation.
Serving food workers across Illinois
Available in every city and county across Illinois.
Frequently Asked Questions — Illinois
Everything you need to know about food handler certification in your state.
Does Illinois require a food handler card?▼
Chicago and Cook County require food handler certification under Chicago Municipal Code §7-42. Workers must obtain certification within 30 days of hire. Statewide requirements also apply to food service managers throughout Illinois.
Chicago y el Condado de Cook requieren certificación de manipulador de alimentos bajo el Código Municipal de Chicago §7-42. Los trabajadores deben obtener la certificación dentro de los 30 días de la contratación.
Is FoodCardNow accepted in Chicago?▼
FoodCardNow is pursuing ANAB accreditation, which is recognized by the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Cook County. Once accredited, our certificate will be fully accepted throughout Illinois.
FoodCardNow está buscando acreditación ANAB, reconocida por el Departamento de Salud Pública de Chicago (CDPH) y el Condado de Cook.
How much does a food handler card cost in Chicago?▼
FoodCardNow is $7.99 — cheaper than ServSafe, 360training, and every major Chicago food handler option. No hidden fees.
FoodCardNow cuesta $7.99 — más barato que ServSafe, 360training y todas las opciones principales de Chicago. Sin cargos ocultos.
Can I take the course in Spanish in Illinois?▼
Yes. FoodCardNow is fully bilingual — the entire course, every quiz question, and the final certificate are available in both English and Spanish.
Sí. FoodCardNow es completamente bilingüe — el curso completo, cada pregunta del examen y el certificado final están disponibles en inglés y español.
Be first when we launch in Illinois
590,000 food service workers in Illinois need this certificate. Join them.